All articles
Everything on AirTalents, organised by topic.
Pilot Training
- Accelerated vs Flexible Flight Training — Accelerated flight training compresses lessons and study into a near-continuous schedule, which can improve continuity but concentrates fatigue,…
- Questions to Ask Before Paying a Flight School — Before paying a flight school, obtain the complete agreement, itemised estimate, refund rules and current fee schedule.
- How to Choose a Flight School: 9 Questions to Ask First — To choose a flight school, verify four things before paying: instructor quality and turnover, aircraft availability and maintenance, the honesty of the…
- How Much Does It Cost to Become a Pilot? Honest Ranges — In the U.S., a private pilot license typically costs $12,000 to $20,000, while going from zero experience to a commercial pilot certificate — the point…
- Discovery Flight Checklist for Prospective Pilots — Before a discovery flight, confirm the total price, included ground and flight time, instructor, aircraft, cancellation terms, and access requirements.
- How to Become a Pilot: Training Path, Costs, and Timeline — You become a pilot by passing an aviation medical exam, then earning certificates in sequence with a certificated flight instructor: private pilot…
- Part 61 vs Part 141 Flight Training — Part 61 and Part 141 can both lead to an FAA pilot certificate or rating.
Licenses & Ratings
- BasicMed vs an FAA Medical Certificate — BasicMed is an alternative to holding an FAA medical certificate for eligible pilots conducting flights within 14 CFR 61.113(i).
- Commercial Pilot vs Airline Transport Pilot — A commercial pilot certificate permits specified flying for compensation or hire when the pilot also meets the rules for the aircraft and operation.
- FAA Medical Certificate Classes Explained — FAA medical certificates come in first, second, and third class.
- FAA Medical Certificate Deferral Explained — An FAA medical certificate deferral means the Aviation Medical Examiner did not issue or deny a certificate at the examination and transmitted the…
- What Happens During an FAA Medical Exam? — An FAA medical examination starts with a MedXPress application and an appointment with an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner.
- FAA Pilot Certificates and Ratings Explained — FAA pilot certificates establish privilege levels: student, sport, recreational, private, commercial, and airline transport pilot.
- How Many Flight Hours for a Pilot License? PPL to ATP — It depends on the license. Under current FAA rules, a private pilot certificate typically requires a minimum of 40 flight hours (most students finish in…
- Instrument Rating Requirements and Training Path — For an FAA instrument-airplane rating under Part 61, hold at least a current private pilot certificate or apply concurrently, complete required ground and…
- Private Pilot License: Requirements, Cost, and Timeline — To earn an FAA private pilot license, you generally must be at least 17 years old, speak English, hold at least a third-class medical certificate, log a…
- Private vs Commercial Pilot Certificate — A private pilot certificate is mainly for personal flying and generally does not permit acting as pilot in command for compensation or hire.
Aviation Careers
- How to Become a Flight Instructor: FAA CFI Path — To become an FAA airplane flight instructor, verify the certificate, rating, pilot-in-command time and endorsement requirements in 14 CFR 61.183.
- How Much Do Pilots Make? Pay Ranges by Job and Seniority — Pilot pay in the U.S. ranges from roughly $30,000 for new flight instructors to over $400,000 for senior major-airline captains.
- Do You Need a Degree to Be a Pilot? What Airlines Expect — No — you do not need a college degree to become a pilot. Neither the FAA nor EASA requires a degree for any pilot certificate, and regional airlines,…